Twice this season Valentine has bunted with Kelly Shoppach in the equation. Each time the situation involved runners on first and second and none out.

A few games ago, in a late-and-close situation, he sacrifed with Shoppach on deck. That put runners on second and third with Shoppach up to face a right-handed pitcher. As everyone -- with the possible exception of Valentine -- knows, Shoppach hits poorly against righties with a low contact rate.

A few minutes ago, in an early-innings-play-for-the-big inning situation, he has Shoppach sacrifice with a lefthanded pitcher on the mound. As everyone -- with the possible exception of Valentine -- knows, Shoppach mashes lefties.

More and more I'm getting the idea that Valentine is a poor in-game manager.

A few minutes ago, in an early-innings-play-for-the-big inning situation, he has Shoppach sacrifice with a lefthanded pitcher on the mound. As everyone -- with the possible exception of Valentine -- knows, Shoppach mashes lefties.

More and more I'm getting the idea that Valentine is a poor in-game manager.

It should be noted that Shoppach up until that point was 0-12 lifetime against Romero with 5 K's.